DALLAS, NC — Gaston County police say they have arrested a 23-year-old teacher at North Gaston High School for taking indecent liberties with a student.
According to reports, Stewart Rice was arrested after a fellow staff member at the high school came to the Student Resource Officer with information obtained regarding an inappropriate relationship between Rice and a student.
Investigators interviewed Rice and the female student to confirm the information. The Gaston County DA then issued charges against Rice.
The Gaston County School District issued the following statement regarding the investigation:
“When we were made aware of the situation, we began working with the Gaston County Police Department on an investigation. Because this situation relates to personnel, we cannot provide details about the investigation. It is our procedure that whenever allegations related to an employee or a student are brought to our attention, we immediately begin an investigation and also rely on the police to conduct an investigation. We are taking the situation seriously and will continue to cooperate with the police.”
According to information provided by the school district, Rice was a Social Studies Teacher and Junior Varsity Basketball Coach at the high school, and was hired in August of 2015.
Officials say Rice turned himself in to investigators, and was released on a written promise to appear. School officials say Rice has been suspended with pay, and has no previous suspensions or demotions on his record.
